November is here, towing Thanksgiving and other holidays with it in a hustling, bustling flurry. While the holidays are a joyous time for many of us, it can be an extremely difficult time for our guests: the men, women, and children of Sacramento experiencing homelessness. Every day at Loaves & Fishes we help our guests get through the day – by offering meals, survival supplies, laundry and showers, counseling, community resources, and more – in an effort to help them on to a brighter tomorrow.

We’ve seen many more new faces on campus in the past year, anxious and weary but always grateful when our staff and programs can ease some of their burdens.

Sacramento’s most vulnerable need you as the weather turns cold and rainy. Please donate online at sacloaves.org. It is said that many hands make light work, and your contribution will ease the daunting burdens that our guests carry.

One of our guests, Anthony, greets me every time I see him when I make my morning rounds through our campus. I always ask him how he is, and his response rarely changes: “I’m doing great, now that I’ve seen your smile!” We spoke about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. “Thanksgiving here is a blessing,” he said. “The food is great. The staff is great, too. Thank you for being here!”

We need your help so each person who comes to us for help can have a holiday season that they will recall with warmth and gratitude. We anticipate that we will serve over one thousand men, women, and children in desperate need at our Thanksgiving feast. It is a special day with our guests, but it is impossible to pull off without your help.

Please drop off fresh or frozen turkeys, canned yams, dinner rolls, pies, and other items from our holiday meal needs list at our warehouse, which is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 at to 2:45 pm at 1351 North C Street, Sacramento, CA 95811.

The holidays can be a lonely, difficult time for our guests, but they don’t have to be. Please contribute so we are able to provide food, clean clothes, warmth, and a wonderful Thanksgiving meal to every man, woman, and child that comes to us.

Please know that I am thankful for your continued support, and for making such a profound difference in our community.